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Saturn ION Quad Coupe

Necessity is the mother of invention, or so the saying goes. In some cases, brands are invented to meet a specific need or goal, and that is certainly the case when it comes to the beginnings of the Saturn branch of General Motors. In the 1980s, it came to the attention of the bigwigs at GM that the Japanese car makers were cleaning up in the small, economy car class. They felt it was time for an American car manufacturer to claim some of the glory and sales. Hence, Saturn was born.

Almost from the beginning, Saturn enjoyed a great deal of success with its line of cars. The public was happy to have an American-made option and flocked to the brand’s unique approach to sales. The customer-inspired attention to detail and courtesy offered at the dealerships had a great deal to do with the company’s success.

Unfortunately, the Saturn division of General Motors dissolved in 2009, following the decline in the economy and GM’s bankruptcy problems. In an effort to save the parent company, Saturn and a few other brands were discontinued. Before the end though, Saturn produced several popular car lines, including the ION Quad Coupe.

About the Saturn ION Quad Coupe

The Saturn ION was first introduced to the car buying public in the 2003 model year and was offered until 2007. This model was considered to be Saturn’s entry-level sedan car option with a unique Quad Coupe body style as well. The ION was released as a replacement for the failing S-series line of cars. While Saturn already had a reputation for making quality cars, the ION series didn’t necessarily wow the industry leaders. In spite of its unique drawbacks, the Ion did relatively well on showroom floors.

Following its own tradition, the Saturn ION Quad Coupe and sedan model is known for the improvements made to the car during its lifespan. Each year, the engineers at Saturn attempted to change aspects of the vehicle that didn’t appeal to buyers and the industry experts. Throughout the vehicle’s manufacturing years issues such as the lackluster interior, the ride, and performance were adjusted.

The Saturn ION Quad Coupe was also well known for its odd appearance. Many people felt the car was strangely designed on the exterior as well as the interior cabin. The design lines didn’t flow in an appealing manner. However, the ION Quad Coupe was unique in its design. The car was marketed as a coupe, but actually was equipped with four doors, much like a crew cab on a truck. The front and rear doors were suicide doors that opened at the center of the chassis. While certainly unusual, this style did win a fair share of attention and fans.

Saturn ION Quad Coupe Features

The 2007 model year was the last year Saturn chose to release the ION Quad Coupe in a new edition. Much like its past versions, this car was designed and marketed to be affordable and a good choice for the younger buyers or those looking for an economic option. The ION was offered in two body styles, the classic sedan and the quad-coupe. This car also featured three trim levels simply named base 1, 2, and 3.

Under the hood, all of the trim levels offered for the Saturn ION Quad Coupe were equipped with 2.2-liter four-cylinder engines capable of 145 hp. Saturn chose to pair a five-speed manual transmission with these motors for efficient power; however, most models sold were ordered with the four-speed automatic transmission or even the continuously variable model offered on earlier options. Customers were given a great deal of license when choosing their ION Quad Coupe and many chose the optional transmission packages.

The trim levels offered for the ION Quad Coupe were pretty basic. It was necessary to purchase a trim level 3 in order to receive amenities such as air-conditioning, power locks and windows, and cruise control options. The upgraded trim also featured 16-inch tires and wheels. Overall, most industry experts believed there were more efficient and more attractive economy cars on the market at the time.

Saturn ION Quad Coupe Evolution

The Saturn ION Quad Coupe did not have as long a run on the market as the S-series from Saturn. The S-series was produced by the GM brand for 12 model years before it was replaced by the Ion family of cars. First offered in 2003, the ION was only in production until the 2007 model year. During that time, Saturn did make attempts to bring the ION family up to speed on its competing Japanese models with limited success.

From the beginning, industry leaders suggested the ION Quad Coupe had a less than desirable ride and described it as bumpy and rough. Over its few years of production, Saturn made changes to the car to counteract this issue. The ION’s body and interior styling also turned some heads, and not in a good way. Many felt the car looked disjointed.

On the plus side, the Saturn ION Quad Coupe was available with several optionsr, as well as an amazing cargo hold for a car of its size. Many customers also appreciated the customer-inspired service and courtesy offered at the dealerships.